Sputum cup



Aug. 16, 1938. K. c. HAMILTON SPUTUM CUP Filed May 22 1937 f@ MW l /wm ma ,y @zu Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE SPUTUM CUP Application May 22, 1937, Serial No. 144,174

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a sputum cup for receiving the sputum of persons having contagious diseases, colds, and the like.

Broadly, the principal object of the present in- 5 vention resides in the provision of a new and improved form of cup which may conveniently be employed in hospitals, the sickroo'in, and when traveling, for the purpose described.

More specifically, the invention resides in the l provision of a cup of simple, durable and efficient construction, particularly adapted to be held closely to the mouth of a person for the purpose described, and which cup may easily be disposed of after serving its required purpose, thereby l tending to promote cleanliness in the region about such persons.

Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter more fully be set forth and claimed.

In describing my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated the preferred physical embodiment thereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a sputum cup embodying the principles of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a sputum cup, and a cover therefor, similar to the cup of Figure 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, cup 5 of the present invention is conveniently, though not necessarily, formed from paper. Such paper preferably opaque, or more or less translucent, either waxed or unwaxed, and in any event waterproof. Also paper known as dry wax or wet waxed, bleached or unbleached, may be employed.

The cup, conveniently formed by suitable dies from a single circular disk of material, comprises a relatively flat and plain bottom wall 6 from which extends an upwardly and outwardly inclined wall l. Preferably, wall 'I is folded to provide plaits 8. The plaits may be box plaits, or ordinary plaits as shown, and, indeed, in the broader aspects of my invention, the cup may be formed without plaitng. It may be said, however, that plaiting is of importance, in the matter of simplicity of manufacture, and also to give strength and rigidity to the cup. At its upper open rim, cup 5 isv provided with an outwardly rolled bead Il.

Bead 9 receives and supports a baille II), which is also preferably formed of paper of the type referred to above. Such baffle is in the form of a funnel having a downwardly and inwardly inclined wall II terminating in a substantially centrally disposed opening I2. As shown, the peripheral upper edge of the baille is provided with an outwardly rolled flange or open bead I3 for receiving the bead 9 of cup 5. Beads 9 and I3 thereby support baille I0 upon cup 5 and the inclined wall of the baille extends downwardly into the cup for an appreciable distance. This bale is of importance, in that it will effectively prevent emptying of the contents of the cup should the cup accidentally be knocked over or upset. Preferably, the diameter of bead I3 is slightly less than the diameter of bead 9, so that bead I3 will need to be forced over bead 9, the bead I3 thereby exerting a clamping action upon bead 9 and effectively preventing dislodgement of the baille. A cup such as above described may conveniently be employed in hospitals, the sickroom, or the like.

When the cup is employed by travelers, I prefer, however, to provide the cup with a cover I4. This cover may also conveniently be formed from paper, such as that above described. The cover may be of any desired or preferred shape, but in its simpler form, it comprises merely a flat plain top I5 provided with a depending annular flange I6. Preferably, flange I6 is inwardly curved and of such diameter as to require it to be forced about flange I 3 of baille IIJ, the ilange I5 thereby exerting a clamping action upon flange I3 and requiring an appreciable force to remove it therefrom.

Although preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated and described, by way of example, it will be obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention. I do not, therefore, intend to limit my invention to the form herein described, except in so far as it may so be limited in the appended claim.

I claim:

A device of the class described, comprising a cup having a bead of substantially circular crosssection formed on the open marginal edge thereof and providing an abrupt shoulder projecting outward therefrom substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the body of the cup, a baffle having a central opening therein and provided 

